Portmarnock golf club Dublin

Portmarnock Golf Course

Measuring 6,656 metres Par 72 with a standard scratch of 74 off the back tees, Portmarnock Golf Club is acknowledged as one of the truly great links courses in the world. Portmarnock has staged many of the games greatest event’s as far back as 1949 it was the venue of British Amateur Open Championship.

Then in 1960 it was the venue of the Canada Cup, the equivalent of the World, Cup, as we know it today. The arrival of Arnold Palmer the newly crowned US Open Champion and his partner Sam Snead, brought the crowds out as never before. There are many who would argue that this was the beginning of the golf boom in Ireland. It has since staged twelve Irish Opens and was the venue of the Walker Cup in 1991, when Tiger Woods, Phil Mickleson, Padraig Harrington among others did battle.

Portmarnock has witnessed some memorable golf matches. In the 1927 Irish Open George Duncan shot a 74 in a howling gale, when nobody else in the field could manage to break 80, this to this day is considered to be the best golfer ever played on these famous links. In the 1959 Irish Open J. B. Carr carded four rounds under 70 and looked like winning the Championship, only to watch "Himself" shoot a 66 to pinch the title.

J. B. considers this to be the biggest disappointment in his illustrious golfing carrier. Every hole at Portmarnock could be considered a feature hole, but the 174 metres Par 3 Index 12 15th guarded by two jaw bunkers and its hog’s back green, is in my opinion the signature hole.

Portmarnock retained the services of the renowned British course architect, Fred Hawtree, to design an additional 9-holes at the hallowed links, these holes are woven seamlessly within the Championship Course. The Clubhouse is a magnificent Tudor building where the visitor will find a warm welcome after a memorable game of golf, having experienced the stunning views delightful views of Lambay Island, Ireland’s Eye and Howth Head as you walk the hallowed turf.

Portmarnock was voted the No. 2-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2012;

Portmarnock was voted the No. 2 Links/Shoreline Course in Ireland by "Backspin" Irelands leading Golf magazine in 2012, the panel comprised of a selection of 52 Professional and amateur golfers throughout Ireland;

Portmarnock was voted the No. 2-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2010;

Portmarnock was voted the No. 1 Links/Shoreline Course in Ireland by "Backspin" Irelands leading Golf magazine in 2010, the panel comprised of a selection of 52 Professional and amateur golfers throughout Ireland;

Portmarnock was voted the No. 1-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2009;

Portmarnock was voted the No. 1 Links/Shoreline Course in Ireland by "Backspin" Irelands leading Golf magazine in 2009, the panel comprised of a selection of 52 Professional and amateur golfers throughout Ireland;

Portmarnock was voted the No. 2-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2008;

Portmarnock was voted the No. 2 Links/Shoreline Course in Ireland by "Backspin" Irelands leading Golf magazine in 2008, the panel comprised of a selection of 52 Professional and amateur golfers throughout Ireland;

Members Achievements

Portmarnock Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Irish Senior Cup at Mount Juliet Golf Club on Sunday 28th August 2018 when they beat Dun Laoghaire Golf Club by 3½-matches to 1½-matches.

They made their way to Thurles Golf Club to compete in the All-Ireland Finals where they were drawn against Connaught Champions Galway Golf Club on Saturday 6th October they beat the men from the West and met Ulster Champions Royal Portrush Golf Club in the decider.

For what was to be their 20th green pennant in the most prestigious championship in Irish golf, they were led out by Geoff Lenehan who won his match against Paul Cutler on the 19th-hole, he was followed by Stephen Walsh who recorded a comfortable 4 and 2 win over Andrew Morris, next on the tee was James Fox who halved his match against Matthew McAlpin, in the penultimate match Conor Purcell ensured the direction the pennant was going with a resounding 5 and 4 win over Richard McCrudden and in the bottom match of Darragh Coghlan against Mark McMurray was recorded as a halve when called in.

Portmarnock Golf Club won the All-Ireland Final of the Irish Senior Cup at Castlerock Golf Club in September 2011. They beat Hermitage Golf Club in the Leinster Final by 3-matches to 2-matches.

They made the long journey to Castlerock in Co. Derry to participate in the National deciders where they were drawn against Munster Champions Muskerry Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Final. First on the tee was Geoff Lenehan lost out to Niall Gorey by 4 and 2. He was followed by James Fox who was narrowly beaten by John Waldron by 1-hole. Next up was John Greene who beat David O’Donovan by 3 and 2. The penultimate match of Michael Brett against Ronan Twomey went 3 and 2 to Portmarnock. In the bottom match Niall Goulding had a comfortable 4 and 2 win over Dan Hallissey.

They met Ulster Champions Warrenpoint in the All-Ireland Final. Warrenpoint had defeated Connaught Champions Co. Sligo in their Semi-Final by 3½-matches to 1½-matches. They were led by James Fox who beat Paul Reavey by 2-holes. He was followed by Geoff Lenehan who beat David Barron by 2 and 1. Next up was John Greene who had a 3 and 2 win over Colm Campbell Jnr. Michael Brett halved his match with Stephen Coulter as did Niall Goulding against Ryan Gribben.

Portmarnock Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Barton Shield at Delgany Golf Club Saturday 2nd August 2008. It was on to Monkstown Golf Club outside of Cork City where the met Ulster Champions Belvoir Park in the All-Ireland Semi-Final on Wednesday 17th September 2008.

First on the tee was James Fox with Aengus McAllister against Jonny McWilliams with Barry Cashman, who won their match by 2-holes. They were followed by Michael Brett with Niall Goulding against Andrew Morris with Harry Diamond, they also recorded a 2-hole victory, giving Portmarnock a comfortable win and a place in the All-Ireland against Munster Champions Limerick Golf Club the following day.

First on the tee was James Fox with Aengus McAllister against Michael O’Kelly with Martin Poucher over whom they recorded a very comfortable 5-holes win. They were followed by Michael Brett with Niall Goulding against Pat Murray with Ger Vaughan, the Portmarnock pair recorded a 1-hole victory over the Limerick pair, to add yet another All-Ireland Barton Shield green pennant to their large collection on Thursday 18th September 2008.

Portmarnock Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Irish Senior Cup, and made the journey to Monkstown Golf Club outside of Cork City where the met Munster Champions Castletroy Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Final on Friday 19th September 2008.

First on the tee was Niall Goulding who won his match on the 19th-hole against Eamonn Haugh, he was followed by Aengus McAllister who lost out to Jason Tobin by 2 and 1. Next up was James Fox against Stephen Moloney this match went to the Limerick club by 3 and 2. Michael Brett halved his match with Cian Daly. The bottom match of Geoff Lenehan against John Kavanagh also went 3 and 2 to the Limerick men, putting them into the All-Ireland Final the following day against Ulster Champions Warrenpoint Golf Club.

Portmarnock Golf Club have a long and proud history in the Irish Senior Cup, and 2007 was no different when the won the Leinster Final and went to Shandon Park Golf Club to play their part in the All-Ireland Finals decider on Friday 14th September, where they met Ulster Champions Banbridge in the All-Ireland Semi-Finals.

They came up against a star-studded Banbridge team that included the reigning East of Ireland Champion in the form of Richard Kilpatrick, Jim Carvill who won the East of Ireland and the West of Ireland in2005, and Rory Leonard who has been in the frame as long as I can remember, since he was a boy.

Portmarnock Golf Club had a bad day against the Ulster Champions when they recorded a 4 ½ matches to ½ match in the All-Ireland Semi-Final, as ever with Portmarnock they will be back again and again.

First on the tee was Michael Brett who lost out to Rory Leonard by 5 and 4, he was followed by Geoff Lenehan against Alistair McCully with the Ulster man recording a 3 and 2 win. Next up was David Kelleher against Richard Kilpatrick who delivered a crushing 6 and 5 victory over the Portmarnock man. The penultimate match say the veteran Adrian Morrow against Connor Doran, with Adrian losing out by 4 and 3. Niall Goulding played anchor against Jim Carvill and the match was halved.

Noel Fox and A. McAllister were selected on the Leinster team for the Interprovincial Matches played at their home club from 11th to 13th August 2004. Noel Fox was selected to play in the Home Internationals at Prestwick Golf Club from 8th to 10th September 2004.

Portmarnock Golf Club had another fine win in the All-Ireland Irish Senior Cup at Lisburn Golf Club on 12th September 2003, when they beat Ulster Champions Malone by 4 1/2 matches to 1/2. The team on the day was Adrian Morrow, Michael Brett, Niall Goulding, Noel Fox and Dermot Snow.

Portmarnock won the Leinster Final of the Irish Senior Cup when they beat Grange at Co. Louth by 3.5 to 1.5. The team was Noel Fox, Dermot Snow, Adrian Morrow, Michael Brett and Angus McAllister. They were managed by Brian Bolger and Eddie Butler. They were drawn against Munster Champions Limerick in the All-Ireland Semi-Finals at Galway Golf Club on September 6th 2002. They went down to Limerick by 3-half matches to 1-half. The team on the day was Adrian Morrow, Niall Goulding, Noel Fox, David Kelleher and Dermot Snow.

Noel Fox, was one of four Irish golfers selected on the Walker Cup panel for 2003. Noel was selected on the Irish Team to play in the Eisenhower Trophy in Kuala Lumpur from the 24th to the 27th October 2002.

Portmarnock won the Leinster Section of the Irish Senior Cup at Skerries Golf Club on the 2nd of September 2001. They beat Edenderry in the Quarter-Finals and Elm Park in the Semi-Finals. They met Grange in the afternoon Finals, David Kellihar beat David Carroll by 5 and 4. In the top match Irish Youths' Champion got the better of Irish International Adrian Morrow by 2 and 1.

Dermot Snow beat Simon Cranley on the 17th, Mick McGinley continued his unbeaten record in the Senior Cup when he won his match against Portmarnock's Michael Brett. It was down to my friend Hugh Hanley to try and get the better of Noel Fox, fresh from shooting a 60 in the Mullingar Scratch Cup.

Portmarnock booked their place at the finals in Newlands by 3 matches to 2 matches. Where they got to yet another Blue Ribbon Senior Cup final and were narrowly beaten on the 18th in the final match by Mallow Golf Club. Noel Fox was selected on the six-man Irish team for the Lytham Trophy played on the 6th-7th of May. He was also selected for the European Team Championship at Ljunghusens G.C., Sweden on July 3rd to the 7th 2001.

Noel and Adrian Morrow were selected to represent Ireland in the Governor Hugh Carey Cup at their home club from the 8th-9th of May 2001.

Prior to 2001:

Portmarnock Golf Club has a long and proud history in the National Championships, having last won the All-Ireland Irish Senior Cup at Portstewart G. C. in 1995, when the team was, Noel Fox, M. F. Morris, Dermot Snow, D. Kelleher, Adrian Morrow, they were Captained by P. Gogarty.

Portmarnock Golf Club won the All-Ireland Irish Junior Cup at Cork G. C. in 1930.

They first won the All-Ireland Irish Junior Cup in 1902.

I was delighted to read about Portmarnock President, Dan, 82 years young, and John Lynch winning the Father & Son at this famous club. They beat Doughie and 13 year-old Nicholas Heather 2 and 1, in a final that had to be postponed, while Dan was having a pacemaker fitted. Doughie of course was an Irish International, now playing off a handicap of 2. Dan used to be my late parents solicitor, for whom they had the highest respect for. He gave them some wonderful advice in his day.

Members who played representative golf for Country or Province;

H. E. Bell* represented Ireland as a Senior International in 1930;

H. A. Boyd* represented Ireland as a Senior International from 1900 to 1923;

J. J. Boyd* represented Ireland as a Senior International in1903;

W. H. Boyd* represented Ireland as a Senior International from 1900 to 1902. He represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1897 to 1906 playing 8-times won 5-matches and lost 3-matches accumulating 5-points;

H. M. Cairnes* represented Ireland as a Senior International from 1901 to 1927. He represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1900 to 2006 playing 5-times won 2-matches and lost 3-matches accumulating 2-points;

M. Crowley* represented Ireland as a Senior International from 1928 to 1931;

F. E. Davies* represented Ireland as a Senior International from 1906 to 1923;

R. A. Fleury represented Ireland as a Senior International in 1974 playing 1-times won 1-match and lost 3-matches accumulating 2-points;

Noel Fox represented Ireland as a Senior International from 1996 to 2004 playing 70-times won 31-matches halved fourteen and lost 25-matches accumulating 76-points. He represented Ireland at international Youths level in 1995 playing 2-matches, won 1-match and lost 1-match accumulating 2-points. He represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1996 to 2004 playing 48-times won 28-matches halved twelve and lost 8-matches accumulating 68-points. represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial in 1995 playing 6-times won 5-matches halved one and lost 0-matches accumulating 11-points;

Niall Goulding represented Ireland as a Senior International from 1988 to 1992 playing 40-times won 21-matches halved one and lost 18-match accumulating 43-points. He represented Ireland at international Youths level in 1986 playing 2-matches and lost 2-matches accumulating 0-points. He represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1988 to 1990 playing 12-times won 7-matches and lost 5-matches accumulating 14-points;

R. G. Henry* represented Ireland as a Senior International in 1903. He represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1902 to 1906 playing 4-times won 3-matches and lost 1-match accumulating 3-points;

B. Herlihy represented Ireland as a Senior International in 1950 playing 6-times won 2-matches and lost 4-matches accumulating 4-points. He represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level in 1957 playing 6-times won 2-matches halved one and lost 3-matches accumulating 5-points;

C. C. Inglis* represented Ireland as a Senior International from 1901 to 1904. He represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1901 to 1906 playing 3-times won 1-match halved two and lost 0-matches accumulating 2-points;

J. J. Inglis* represented Ireland as a Senior International from 1901 to 1902. He represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1901 to 1903 playing 3-times won 0-matches halved two and lost 1-match accumulating 1-point;

J. F. Jamieson* represented Ireland as a Senior International from 1913 to 1924;

G. W. Kelly* represented Ireland as a Senior International in 1903;

B. P. Malone represented Ireland as a Senior International from 1959 to 1975 playing 37-times won 17-matches halved two and lost 18-matches accumulating 36-points. He represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1959 to 1981 playing 100-times won 55-matches halved nine and lost 36-matches accumulating 119-points;

J. Malone represented Ireland as a Senior International in 1954 playing 2-times won 2-matches and lost 0-matches accumulating 4-points;

W. G. McConnell* represented Ireland as a Senior International in 1925;

W, D. Meldon* represented Ireland as a Senior International in 1900;

M. F. Morris represented Ireland as a Senior International from 1978 to 1984 playing 51-times won 27-matches halved eight and lost 16-matches accumulating 62-points. He represented Ireland at Senior (55+) from 2004 to 2005 playing 9-times won 3-matches and lost 6-matches accumulating 6-points;

Adrian Morrow represented Ireland as a Senior International from 1975 to 2000 playing 39-times won 11-matches halved nine and lost 19-match accumulating 31-points. He represented Ireland at Senior (55+) from 2008 to 2010 playing 26-times won 18-matches halved four and lost 4-matches accumulating 40-points. He represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1982 to 2002 playing 74-times won 34-matches halved six and lost 34-matches accumulating 74-points. He represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial from 1973 to 1974 playing 4-times won 3-matches and lost 1-match accumulating 6-points;

W. C. Pickman* represented Ireland as a Senior International from 1900 to 1906. He W. C. Pickman represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1897 to 1906 playing 6-times won 4-matches halved one and lost 1-match accumulating 4½ -points;

C. W. Robertson* represented Ireland as a Senior International in 1930;

A. P. Ross* represented Ireland as a Senior International in 1903;

J. P. Todd* represented Ireland as a Senior International in 1905;

W. F. Todd* represented Ireland as a Senior International from 1901 to 1903;

R. Donald represented Ireland at international Youths level in 1991 playing 2-matches, halved 1-match and lost 1-match accumulating 1-point;

R. Conway represented Ireland at Irish Boys level in 1988 playing 4-times won 1-match halved one and lost 2-matches accumulating 3-points. He represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level in 1995 playing 6-times won 1-match halved one and lost 4-matches accumulating 3-points. He represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial from 1990 to 1991 playing 11-times won 7-matches and lost 4-matches accumulating 22-points;

Angus McAllister represented Ireland at Irish Boys level in 2001 playing 3-times won 1-match and lost 2-matches accumulating 2-points. He represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 2004 to 2005 playing 10-times won 3-matches halved four and lost 3-matches accumulating 10-points. He represented Leinster at Boys Interprovincial level in 2000 playing 6-times won 5-matches and lost 1-match accumulating 10-points;

H. Mackeown represented Ireland at Senior (55+) 2001 to 2006 playing 9-times won 4-matches halved three and lost 2-matches accumulating 11-points;

B. H. Boyd represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1904 to 1906 playing 2-times won 2-matches and lost 0-matches accumulating 2-points;

R. Boyd represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level in 1903 playing 1-time won 1-match and lost 0-matches accumulating 1-point;

D. J. Conway represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level in 1981 playing 2-times won 1-match and lost 1-match accumulating 2-points. He represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial from 1976 to 1978 playing 8-times won 5-matches and lost 3-matches accumulating 10-points;

W. H. Dillon represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1901 to 1904 playing 4-times won 2-matches and lost 2-matches accumulating 2-points;

A.P. Dudgeon represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level in 1904 playing 1-time won 0-matches and lost 1-match accumulating 0-points;

John Fox represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 2009 to 2010 playing 9-times won 3-matches halved one and lost 5-matches accumulating 7-points;

David Kelleher represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1996 to 2004 playing 10-times won 7-matches halved two and lost 1-match accumulating 16-points;

G. W. Kelly represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1903 to 1906 playing 4-times won 1-match halved two and lost 1-matches accumulating 2-points;

C. A. Leatham represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level in 1905 playing 1-time won 0-matches and lost 1-match accumulating 0-points;

S. MacNaughton represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level in 1900 playing 1-time won 1-match and lost 0-matches accumulating 1-point;

J. M. Mahon represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1967 to 1973 playing 15-times won 4-matches halved five and lost 6-matches accumulating 13-points. He represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial from 1966 to 1969 playing 6-times;

J. S. Matterson represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level in 1906 playing 1-time won 1-match and lost 0-matches accumulating 1-point;

W. D. Meldon represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1900 to 1903 playing 3-times won 1-match and lost 2-matches accumulating 1-point;

F. Owens represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level in 1906 playing 1-time won 0-matches and lost 1-match accumulating 0-points;

D. Snow represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1898 to 1900 playing 11-times won 3-matches halved two and lost 6-matches accumulating 8-points;

W. D. Stewart represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1896 to 1903 playing 5-times won 2-matches and lost 3-matches accumulating 2-points;

J. P. Todd represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1898 to 1906 playing 5-times won 4-matches and lost 1-match accumulating 4-points;

W. F. Todd represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1897 to 1906 playing 8-times won 3-matches halved one and lost 4-matches accumulating 3½ -points;

K. Troy represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level in 1957 playing 6-times won 3-matches halved two and lost 1-match accumulating 8-points;

I. Walker represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level in 1900 playing 1-time won 0-matches halved one and lost 0-matches accumulating ½ -point;

V. Clancy represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial from 1963 to 1965 playing 6-times;

M. Dody represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial in 1966 playing 2-times;

G. Donald represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial from 1971 to 1972 playing 4-times;

R. Donald represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial in 1991 playing 4-times won 3-matches and lost 1-match accumulating 6-points;

D. H. Morris represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial from 1966 to 1968 playing 4-times;

E. C. O’Brien represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial from 1962 to 1963;

R. A. Fleury represented Munster as a Senior Interprovincial from 1974 to 1977 playing 18-times won 11-matches and lost 7-matches accumulating 22-points. He represented Munster at Youths’ Interprovincial level in 1966 playing 2-times;

Niall Goulding represented Munster as a Senior Interprovincial from 1991 to 1997 playing 23-times won 13-matches and lost 10-matches accumulating 26-points;

M. F. Morris represented Munster as a Senior Interprovincial from 1972 to 1985 playing 63-times won 32-matches halved three and lost 28-matches accumulating 67-points;

B. G. Cashel represented Ulster in the Senior Interprovincial’s from 1977 to 1985 playing 17-times won 11-matches halved one and lost 5-matches accumulating 23-points. He represented Ulster as a Youth in the Interprovincial Championships from 1972 to1975 playing 10-times won 6-matches and lost 4-matches accumulating 12-points;

G. R. Caldwell* represented Ulster as a Youth in the Interprovincial Championships in 1968 playing 2-times;

J. C. Coyle* represented Ulster as a Youth in the Interprovincial Championships from 1970 to1971 playing 8-times won 2-matches and lost 4-matches accumulating 4-points;

C. Cassidy represented Connacht at Senior Interprovincial level in 2000 playing 6-times won 1-matches halved two and lost 3-matches accumulating 4-points. He represented Connacht as a Youth Interprovincial in 1991 playing 5-times won 2-matches and lost 3-matches accumulating 4-points;

K. Flanagan represented Connacht at Senior Interprovincial level from 1988 to 1997 playing 13-times won 1-match halved two and lost 10-matches accumulating 4-points;

S. Flanagan represented Connacht at Senior Interprovincial level from 1966 to 1978 playing 78-times won 27-matches halved nine and lost 42-matches accumulating 63-points;

J. M. Mahon Michael Lavelle represented Connacht at Senior Interprovincial level from 1967 to 1973 playing 15-times won 4-matches halved five and lost 6-matches accumulating 13-points;

T. Ewing represented Connacht as a Youth Interprovincial from 1964 to1966 playing 6-times;

P. Soden represented Connacht as a Youth Interprovincial from 1966 to 1969 playing 4-times;

History of Portmarnock

Instituted 1894 affiliated 1895 Had the British War Department had its way, the world-famous links we know as Portmarnock Golf Club would never have come into being. In 1891, an inquiry was held at Baldoyle police station, as the Secretary of the War Department wanted to purchase the lands under the compulsory powers confirmed on him by the Barracks Act, 1890, and use it as a rifle range.

The land was purchased by the Jameson family in 1847 and comprised of 500 acres. John Jameson and the local fishermen objected to the compulsory purchase and won their case.

As with most other clubs in Ireland, the early minutes of the club are missing, however there are several good accounts in publications at the turn of the century about the formation of the club. Mr. W. C. Pickman visited the peninsula on September, 1884, and immediately saw the potential for a golf course in the sand dunes. He called a meeting of his Scottish and Irish friends. Twenty-one attended the meeting, sixteen Scots, three Irish and two English.

They all agreed to establish a club and a deputation went to see Mr. John Jameson, D. L., who recalled his father and friends playing golf there when he was a boy. He agreed to lease the land and an agreement was signed on 1st October, 1894. The first officers of the club were Mr. John Jameson, President, Mr. George Ross, Captain, Mr. A. Walker, Treasurer, Mr. W. C. Pickman, Hon. Secretary, with Mr. Walter Hume and J. C. Anderson as trustees.

It is worth noting that George Ross was an Irishman and held the office of Captain for the first three years. The original nine-holes were laid out by Mr. W. C. Pickman and approved by Mongo Park, who had won the Open in 1874 and later became the professional at Portmarnock after a short stay at Foxrock. At Easter, 1896, the full eighteen-holes and clubhouse were opened. At this stage the club had 150 members and the clubhouse cost £500.

The additional land was sold to the club at a nominal sum of £10 by John Jameson, provided no golf was played on Sunday. The holes varied in length from 150 to 520 yards. The only access was by ferry to the peninsula and the development of the course was true pioneer work. By 1898, the GUI had added the club to its rota of championship courses, the others being Dollymount (The Royal Dublin G. C.), Portrush, and Newcastle.

As early as 1899, the first of many major championships was held when John Ball Jnr., beat F. W. Williamson in the final of the Irish Amateur Open Championship. In 1949, the British Amateur Championship was played at Portmarnock, the first time this prestigious Tournament was played outside that country. Max McCready won it. Many other prestigious Tournaments were to follow.

Christy O’Connor won the Dunlop Masters, in 1959 with a final round of 66 to pip J. B. Carr. It hosted the Canada Cup in 1960, the Irish Open several times, the Walker Cup, to name but a few. We owe a great deed of gratitude to John Jameson for his spirited defence in June, 1892 otherwise, this world-famous links might have ended up as a rifle range.